Gov Emmanuel To End Godfather Role In A’Ibom Politics

By Usiere Akpan 

UYO 

Gov Udom Emmanuel has announced the end to the role of godfathers in the political governance of Akwa Ibom.

 Emmanuel made the announcement at Government House, Uyo, recently, during a visit on him by the leadership IbomPatriots, one of the foremost sociopolitical groups, in Akwa Ibom.

 The governor said that there were no political plans to assign anybody, group or himself the ultimate right and authority of anointing a successor to the seat of governorship at the end of his administration, stressing that Akwa Ibom would no longer be governed through the backdoor by anybody in or outside the state.

 He remarked that it was a delight that the Ibom Patriots has remained a group of dignified men and women with the agenda of raising the socio-political profile of Akwa Ibom at the national scene, advising the Ibom Patriots to support the succession plans of returning political power to the hands of the people.

 Emmanuel explained that the recent emergence of a preferred successor to the seat of governance in the state was a response to divine revelations at different moments through collective prayers of many persons in the state, urging the people of the state to handle state matters with divine consciousness.

 Emmanuel stressed, “The era of godfatherism in politics is gone in Akwa Ibom. It’s government of the people for the people and by the people,” adding, “God is interested in the people and we are going into an era when power has changed hand into the hand of the Holy Spirit, so that no man can boast that I did this or I did that.” 

He remarked that God chose to put the leadership of the state on his shoulder, particularly in the season of recession, asserting that the best has been done to serve the state, while hoping that his successor would build on to surpass records.

 The chancellor of the Ibom Patriots and leader of the delegation, Obong Bassey Inuaeyen, said that the group was fully behind Emmanuel, in the Pastor Umo Eno project in the best interest of the state, adding that the decision wouldfurther the peace and prosperity established by the present administration. 

Inuaeyen called on people to desist from personal attacks on the Emmanuel through the social media platforms, remarking that the office of the governor represents the collective dignity of the people of Akwa Ibom.